Gusty Storms, Downpours in New York, Philadelphia

As a cold front drifts eastward on Saturday, it will spark showers and a few gusty thunderstorms across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic.

These storms will have the potential to produce gusty winds, blinding downpours and perhaps even some hail. Urban and small stream flooding is possible in areas that have received heavy rainfall recently.

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Major cities that could be impacted by strong thunderstorms on Saturday include New York City, Philadelphia, Pa., Wilmington and Dover, Del., Richmond and Norfolk, Va.

Travelers along Interstates 95 and 64 in the mid-Atlantic should be alert for rapidly changing weather conditions, poor visibility and sudden gusts of wind in heavier thunderstorms.

An initial batch of showers and thunderstorms moved through much of the mid-Atlantic on Friday night well ahead of the cold front. Showers will continue into Saturday morning, but there will be a few breaks of sun as well.

As temperatures climb into the 70s and the cold front draws closer, more numerous showers and thunderstorms will develop during the afternoon.

The best opportunity for damaging wind gusts on Saturday afternoon and evening will be from southern New Jersey southward along the coast into northeastern North Carolina. While thunderstorms may produce gusty winds farther north from Philadelphia into the New York City area, any wind damage is expected to be minor.

People with outdoor plans across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic should keep a watchful eye to the sky and move inside if and when thunder is heard.

The risk for strong thunderstorms will be farther south and east than it was on Friday, when thunderstorms associated with the front knocked down trees and power lines near Pittsburgh and Altoona, Pa. Golf ball-sized hail was also reported northeast of Cleveland, Ohio.

The cold front will move offshore tonight, allowing drier air to filter down from the northwest just in time for Mother's Day on Sunday.

A second cold front will move through on Sunday, but should go through without any rain in most locations. The wind will pick up as much cooler air slides down from the northwest. This cooler air mass will lead to some chilly mornings early next week.